similar to those already found in Denmark. The project was to have been developed in three phases, with Phase I of the project inaugurated on June 18, 2005. Engineer Niels Jacobsen, president and chief executive of the Northwind Power Development Corp., started work on the 24.75-megawatt project in 1999. Ratified by the NorthWind Power Development Corp and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development through the World Bank Prototype Carbon Fund, the Northwind Bangui Bay Project was the first project in the Philippines to have the Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA) under the Clean Development Mechanism. The Bangui Bay Project is also the first Philippine recipient of the Carbon Emission Reduction Certificates (CER's) from the executive board of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Phase I consisted of 15 turbines, placed 326 meters apart, was completed on May 7, 2005, generating 24.74 megawatts. An additional 5 turbines brought the capacity to 33 megawatts, which was transmitted to an electrical substation in Laoag City. Connected to the Luzon Grid, the windmills supply 40% of Ilocos Norte's electricity needs. Each windmill is tall, with long blades. Commercial operation The project began commercial operation in 2005, eventually becoming a major tourist site for Bangui. In 2006, the project produced a 5% discount of the weighted average price in the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) or a generated savings of approximately US$1.4 million (PhP 70 million) for the INEC electricity consumers. The project cost for Phase I amounted to US$23 million. Ownership by the Ayala Group AC Energy, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, eventually took control of Northwind and of the Bangui Wind Farm in 2017, acquiring a total of 67.79% of Northwind stocks. In 2021, AC Energy announced its intent to acquire 100% of the shares of NorthWind in order to boost the renewable energy portfolio of the Ayala Group in anticipation of its plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The purchase is pending approvals from Philippine government oversight entities like the Philippine Competition Commission. See also Sustainable energy Wind Energy Power System (Philippines Wind Farm) References Buildings and structures in Ilocos Norte Tourist attractions in Ilocos Norte Wind farms in the Philippines